Wes Seelinger sums up ministry to one another:
“Ever feel like a frog? Frogs feel slow, low, ugly, puffy, drooped, pooped. I know: One told me. The frog feeling comes when – you want to be bright, but feel dull. You want to share, but are selfish. You want to be thankful, but feel resentment. You want to be big, but are small. You want to care, but are indifferent.
Yes, at one time or another each of us has found ourselves on a lily pad floating down the great river of life. Frightened and disgusted, but too froggish to budge.
Once upon a time there was a frog. But he really wasn’t a frog. He was a prince who looked and felt like a frog. A wicked witch had cast a spell on him. Only the kiss of a beautiful young maiden could save him…So there he sat – an unkissed prince in frog form.
But miracles happen. One day a beautiful maiden grabbed him up and gave him a big smack. Crash – Boom – Zap! There he was – a handsome prince. And you know the rest of the story. They lived happily ever after.
So what is the task of the church? To kiss frogs, of course.”
Tags: encouragement, frog, kiss
William Barclay wrote: “It’s easy to laugh at ideals, pour cold water on enthusiasm and discourage others. The world’s full of such people. But we have a duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the one who speaks such a word.”
Epaphroditus was commended by Paul as “my…fellow worker…[who] ministered to my need.” What did Paul need? Encouragement! Imagine being rememerbered as the one who encouraged the Apostle Paul! Those with his same spirit instinctively know how to speak “The right word at the right time” (Prov. 15:23). They strengthen the discouraged and comfort the grieving. In fact, we look for them in times of crisis because their very presence “lifts” us.
The Bible is filled with such people. When Moses was overwhelmed, Jethro counseled and supported him ( Ex. 18:1-27). When Paul was alone in prison, Epaphroditus jeopardized his own safety to visit and comfort him (Phil. 2:25-30). Paul also found great strength in Timothy (2 Tim. 4:9), and later in John Mark (2 Tim. 4:11). Every time he went through another trial, God surrounded Paul with people who provided practical help and spiritual sustenance just when he needed it most.
Stay prepared to be an encourager! Who is your greatest encourager?
Tags: encouragement, Epaphroditus
During the Boer War (1899-1902), a man was convicted of a very unusual crime. He was found guilty of being a “Discourager”. The South African town of Ladysmith was under attack, and this traitor would move up and down the lines of soldiers who were defending the city and do everything he could to discourage them. He would point out the enemy’s strength, the difficulty of defending against them, and the inevitable capture of the city. He didn’t use a gun in his attack. It wasn’t necessary. His weapon was the power of discouragement.
Discouragement is opposite of faith. Faith says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Discouragement puts doubt in my mind and undermines my faith in Christ.
What has discouraged you lately?
Tags: encouragement, words
Have you ever noticed that its tough for a kid to get a swing going? But if you give him/her a push, then they begin pumping and keep the swing going by themselves. They just need a push. Giving people a push is what the gift of encouragement is.
Joseph, better known as Barnabus, gave his brothers a push in Acts 4:36-37 when he sold land that belonged to him and gave the proceeds to the apostles for Kingdom use. That had to have encouraged others to do the same. People just need a push.
When have you received a push from someone else and how did it encourage you?
Tags: encouragement, push, swing
Nature teaches us some valuable lessons. Look at geese, for example:
1. They fly in a “V” formation because it takes 71% less energy compared to flying solo. We Christians need to fly together.
2. The lead goose has the difficult job of breaking the wind barrier, so they rotate leadership. Let’s give someone else a break at church by helping them.
3. Geese honk as they fly. If one drops out and breaks the efficiency equation, the others honk encouragement to the leader. Let’s honk at somebody next weekend.
4. If a goose is hurt along the journey, two others accompany it to the ground to give help. Let’s take care of each other.
What experience do you have with geese and what can we learn from it?
Tags: encouragement, geese
For the next several days I’d like to blog about encouragement. That is a gift some have in the Church. Here are some famous comments that have been made over the years that gave a false encouraging word:
Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1911: “Airplanes are interesting toys, but they have no military value.”
Business Week, 1958: “With over 50 foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn’t likely to carve out a big slice of the U.S. market.”
Frank Knox, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, on December 4, 1941: “Whatever happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping.”
Economist Irving Fisher on October 16, 1929: “Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.”
Not every encouraging word is a word from God. His word can always be trusted.
Tags: encouragement